Children's Literature THE RED BEAST
The Red Beast is a story that discusses the anger that goes along with Asperger's syndrome. This is a great children's storybook that is good for ages 5+. The main character, Rufus, is on the playground when his friend John kicks a ball at him. The ball hits Rufus in his stomach, and his "Red Beast" is awakened. The Red Beast doesn't pay attention to when the teacher asks him if he's ok and the the Red Beast doesn't pay attention either when John is sorry about kicking him with the ball.
This story is a great way to discuss anger that comes along with Asperger's Syndrome. However, in my classroom, I would use it for more than just someone that is afflicted with Asperger's Syndrome. Rather, I would use this book as a great discussion tool for anger in general. Tempers are quite common in elementary school, and this book provides a wonderful hook that will get children to discuss anger. I will ask students "Do they feel that angry sometimes?" "What can they do to make the anger go away?" "How can they help peers who are dealing with anger?" This book is great!
WAITING FOR BENJAMIN
Waiting for Benjamin is a story about brothers. Alexander wonders why his brother Benjamin doesn't do things the same way as he does? Alexander wonders why his brother stares at the wall, wiggles his fingers instead of talking and rocks. Alexander feels sorry and embarrassed whenever people call his brother "wacko." Then finally his parents find out that his brother has Autism. They then hire teachers that specialize in helping with Autism. While Benjamin grows and gets the help, Benjamin begins to realize that his brother is more than that--he is his friend.
This story is a great way to help introduce students to the concept of Autism, as well as, the feelings and emotions that come along with people who know someone with Autism. There is disappointment, embarrassment, and sometimes even jealousy--as in the case with Alexander. I will use this book as a great springboard for an introduction to Autism in the classroom. I will ask students if they know anyone with Autism, if they do, who, and if they don't what have they learned from Benjamin
ADAM AND THE MAGIC MARBLE
This story is about three little boys Adam and Chris (who have Tourette's Syndrome) and Matt (who has cerebral palsy), and how they find a way to allude the sharp glare and taunts of bullies. They find a magic marble that has powers that are quite uncontrollable. When the boys accidentally point the marble at bullies, they find themselves in
an adventure that won't soon be forgotten.
I would use this book as a great adventure story that has different protagonists leading the adventure. It is a fantasy book, so I will include it in that genre and have it as a part of a series of different fantasy books. This story is so great because it takes serious issues (Tourette's;
Cerebral Palsy) and makes them whimsical in some senses, but poignant in others.
AUTISTIC PLANET
This fantasy story takes place in a world where everything runs the way an Autistic person thinks. So for instance, all the trains are exactly on time and each office has rocking chairs in place. This look at a world where everything is catered towards Autism is a very great perspective for people who do not have the affliction. This world is one in which "being different is ordinary and being typical is unheard of!"
This book is a wonderful way to teach children about the world viewed through the eyes of an Autistic person. I will have students make their own "worlds" after reading this story aloud to the classroom. Afterwards, children will share their alternate worlds with the classroom. This is a wonderful way to have children learn about one another, as well as to broaden their perspectives on their fellow classmates.
TACOS ANYONE?
This book is a whopper because not only does it include Autism awareness it is also includes bilingual (English/Spanish) reading. Michael, a four year old boy has Autism. His older brother Thomas doesn't really understand much about Michael. Yet, Michael's therapist teaches Thomas how to interact with his brother. They learn to play together again, and their sibling time is fun and enjoyable again.
This is a great book for ESOL integration as well as Autism awareness. I will introduce this book to my ESOL students as well as the rest of the class when discussing the topic of Autism. After reading the stories, I will have students split up into groups and have them devise ways in which to interact/live with someone who has Autism.
Children's Literature
THE RED BEAST
The Red Beast is a story that discusses the anger that goes along with Asperger's syndrome. This is a great children's storybook that is good for ages 5+. The main character, Rufus, is on the playground when his friend John kicks a ball at him. The ball hits Rufus in his stomach, and his "Red Beast" is awakened. The Red Beast doesn't pay attention to when the teacher asks him if he's ok and the the Red Beast doesn't pay attention either when John is sorry about kicking him with the ball.
This story is a great way to discuss anger that comes along with Asperger's Syndrome. However, in my classroom, I would use it for more than just someone that is afflicted with Asperger's Syndrome. Rather, I would use this book as a great discussion tool for anger in general. Tempers are quite common in elementary school, and this book provides a wonderful hook that will get children to discuss anger. I will ask students "Do they feel that angry sometimes?" "What can they do to make the anger go away?" "How can they help peers who are dealing with anger?" This book is great!
WAITING FOR BENJAMIN
Waiting for Benjamin is a story about brothers. Alexander wonders why his brother Benjamin
This story is a great way to help introduce students to the concept of Autism, as well as, the feelings and emotions that come along with people who know someone with Autism. There is disappointment, embarrassment, and sometimes even jealousy--as in the case with Alexander. I will use this book as a great springboard for an introduction to Autism in the classroom. I will ask students if they know anyone with Autism, if they do, who, and if they don't what have they learned from Benjamin
ADAM AND THE MAGIC MARBLE
This story is about three little boys Adam and Chris (who have Tourette's Syndrome) and Matt (who h
an adventure that won't soon be forgotten.
I would use this book as a great adventure story that has different protagonists leading the adventure. It is a fantasy book, so I will include it in that genre and have it as a part of a series of different fantasy books. This story is so great because it takes serious issues (Tourette's;
Cerebral Palsy) and makes them whimsical in some senses, but poignant in others.
AUTISTIC PLANET
This fantasy story takes place in a world where everything runs the way an Autistic person thinks. So for instance, all the trains are exactly on time and each office has rocking chairs in place. This look at a world where everything is catered towards Autism is a very great perspective for people who do not have the affliction. This world is one in which "being different is ordinary and being typical is unheard of!"
This book is a wonderful way to teach children about the world viewed through the eyes of an Autistic person. I will have students make their own "worlds" after reading this story aloud to the classroom. Afterwards, children will share their alternate worlds with the classroom. This is a wonderful way to have children learn about one another, as well as to broaden their perspectives on their fellow classmates.
TACOS ANYONE?
This book is a whopper because not only does it include Autism awareness it is also includes bilingual (English/Spanish) reading. Michael, a four year old boy has Autism. His older brother Thomas doesn't really understand much about Michael. Yet, Michael's therapist teaches Thomas how to interact with his brother. They learn to play together again, and their sibling time is fun and enjoyable again.
This is a great book for ESOL integration as well as Autism awareness. I will introduce this book to my ESOL students as well as the rest of the class when discussing the topic of Autism. After reading the stories, I will have students split up into groups and have them devise ways in which to interact/live with someone who has Autism.